Sbarro announces major expansion in Brazil, Japan

April 14, 2010

Sbarro has announced its entry into the Brazilian marketplace through a partnership agreement with GPS Group. The agreement calls for the opening of more than 1,000 restaurants throughout Brazil over a 20-year period. Sbarro's first-ever Brazil location is slated to open in Rio de Janeiro during the second half of 2010.

"We could not ask for a better partner than the team at GPS Group. Their expert knowledge of the Brazilian marketplace is the perfect complement to our proven franchise formula," said Peter Beaudrault, president and CEO of Sbarro, in a news release. "This is an exciting period of international growth for Sbarro, and we are now proud to serve guests across 42 countries."

The announcement of Sbarro's partnership with GPS Group comes on the heels of a separate international agreement with JCI Inc. that will see the opening of 1,250 Sbarro restaurants throughout Japan.

"Sbarro is a great brand and restaurant industry icon. It's a proven concept that has flourished throughout the world and there's no team more experienced or successful than Sbarro's international franchise experts. We have no doubt that the fresh, quality food and high standard of service that is synonymous with Sbarro will be a tremendous success across Brazil," said Jair M. Duartes, president and partner of GPS Group.